Think you’ve seen the real Cyprus? There is still more to discover.
In Part 1, we explored some of the island’s lesser-known places, from the unusual landscape of Mitsero Red Lake to hidden waterfalls and traditional mountain villages.
But Cyprus has even more stories tucked away in its mountains and countryside.
For Part 2, we are heading further off the beaten path — to a dramatic gorge, a forgotten medieval settlement, a mountain monastery and some of the oldest bridges hidden in the Troodos forest.
These are four more places that show just how much more there is to Cyprus beyond its beaches.
6. Avakas Gorge – A Wild Side of Cyprus
Not far from the coast of Paphos, the landscape suddenly changes.
The Avakas Gorge cuts through the limestone landscape of the Pegeia State Forest, creating a narrow passage surrounded by impressive rock walls, thick vegetation and the Avgas River.
The gorge was formed over thousands of years by the constant erosion of the limestone rocks by the river. Parts of the route take you directly through the stream, making the experience feel much more like an adventure than a typical walk in Cyprus.
The official trail is around 1.2 km long and passes through a shady, humid environment that feels completely different from the dry landscape found elsewhere on the island. It is also part of the Natura 2000 network.
Why visit?
Because it is difficult to believe that a landscape this wild can be found so close to Paphos.
Good to know:
The official Visit Cyprus website currently lists the Avakas Gorge trail as temporarily closed, so always check the latest access information before planning your visit.
When accessible, the gorge is a great addition to a day exploring Paphos and the Akamas area.
7. Foinikas – The Forgotten Village of the Knights Templar
Some places are interesting because of what you can see.
Others are interesting because of what you can imagine.
Foinikas, near the Asprokremmos Reservoir, belongs to the second category.
Today, the abandoned village is surrounded by the countryside of the Paphos region, with parts of the old settlement slowly being reclaimed by nature.
But its story goes much further back.
Historical research links the earliest habitation of Foinikas to the period of the Knights Templar, while archaeological and historical studies have identified the settlement as an important medieval site in the area.
The village was eventually abandoned, and the construction of the Asprokremmos Reservoir changed the landscape around it. Depending on the water level, parts of the old settlement can appear particularly close to — and at times partly surrounded by — the reservoir.
Walking around the area today, it is easy to imagine how different this place must have looked centuries ago.
There are old stone structures, traces of the former settlement and a landscape that feels strangely quiet.
Why visit?
Because Foinikas offers something very different from the usual Cyprus sightseeing experience: a chance to discover a forgotten part of the island’s medieval past.
How to explore it:
Foinikas is best suited to adventurous visitors exploring the Paphos countryside by car, but the access and condition of the surrounding tracks should always be considered before setting out.
8. Machairas Monastery – Hidden in the Mountains
Deep in the pine-covered mountains of Cyprus, far from the busy coastal resorts, you will find Machairas Monastery.
It is one of the island’s three Royal and Stavropegic monasteries and is home to the famous icon of Panagia Machairiotissa.
According to tradition, the icon was hidden in a cave during the years of iconoclasm. Centuries later, around 1145, two hermits, Ignatios and Neophytos, discovered the cave. The story says that they had to cut through the dense vegetation with a knife to reach it — giving the icon and monastery the name Machairas, from the Greek word for knife.
But even if you are not particularly interested in religious history, the journey to Machairas is worth it.
The road winds through the mountains, with pine forests and quiet villages along the way. It is a completely different side of Cyprus from the coastline.
Why visit?
For the combination of history, architecture, mountain scenery and the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding countryside.
How to explore it:
Machairas works particularly well as part of a Troodos or mountain road trip. It can also be combined with places such as Fikardou for a full day of exploring the countryside.
9. The Venetian Bridges of Troodos – History Hidden in the Forest
Imagine walking through a forest and suddenly coming across a centuries-old stone bridge.
That is part of the charm of the Venetian Bridges of Troodos.
Three of the most beautiful medieval bridges in the Troodos mountains are Tzelefos, Elia and Roudia. They can be discovered along the Venetian Bridges nature trail, surrounded by the forests and valleys of the Troodos region.
These bridges were built along old routes through the mountains, long before modern roads made travelling around Cyprus easy.
Today, they sit quietly among the trees.
There is something particularly special about seeing them in their original surroundings rather than as part of a museum or archaeological site. The forest, the stonework and the sound of the water below make the experience feel almost timeless.
Why visit?
Because it is one of those places where you can experience Cyprus’ history without feeling like you are visiting a traditional tourist attraction.
How to explore it:
The Venetian Bridges are ideal for a Troodos road trip, especially for visitors who enjoy combining nature, photography and history.
See Cyprus Differently
The more you explore Cyprus, the more you realise that the island is much more than its beaches.
There are places shaped by water, forests and mountains. There are villages that have almost disappeared, medieval bridges hidden among the trees and stories that go back hundreds — sometimes thousands — of years.
And that is what makes exploring Cyprus by car so rewarding.
You can leave the main tourist routes behind, take the mountain roads, stop at a small village for coffee and discover a place you might never have known existed.
Of course, you don’t have to plan everything yourself. Some of these places can also be experienced as part of organised Cyprus excursions, making it easier to discover the countryside without worrying about the route.
Whether you choose to rent a car and explore independently or join an excursion, leave some time in your itinerary for the places that aren’t always at the top of the tourist list.
Because sometimes, the places you almost didn’t plan to visit are the ones you remember most.
